Footballer dies of heart attack

A 47-year-old football player has died after suffering a heart attack during a game in Devon

A football player has died after suffering a heart attack during a game.

Chris Ralph, 47, collapsed while playing for Chagford veterans against Topsham Town during the first-half of the Devon Veterans' County Cup final at Newton Abbot.

A statement on the club website said: "It is with much sadness we have to tell you of the death of one of our players, Chris Ralph.

"Chris collapsed during the Veterans Cup final and, despite the best efforts of everyone at the ground, the paramedics and the staff at Torbay Hospital, passed away soon after arrival at the hospital. The cause appears to have been a heart attack."

Paying tribute, the statement added: "Chris was fine player, a loyal clubman and great family man and, at the age of just 47 years, had been a key member of Chagford FC. As a club we are stunned but our thoughts are with Chris's family, at this time of great sorrow."

Mr Ralph played as a defender or midfielder and had made nine appearances for Chagford FC this season, scoring two goals.

His death comes just two weeks after Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during the first half of a FA Cup quarter-final clash with Tottenham Hotspur.